The University of Redlands men's water polo team competed in front of the home crowd at the Thompson Aquatic Center for the first time since September 13, impressing the Bulldog faithful with an exciting 12-11 win over George Washington University (DC).
Redlands jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the contest while relying on three different scorers to find the back of the net.
The teams traded netters through the 2:59-mark of the second frame, with the Bulldogs maintaining their advantage at 6-3 after consecutive goals by sophomore center-defender Danny Hartwig (Vista, CA).
However, the Colonials refused to go down quietly and answered with three-straight netters to even the count at six apiece early in the third frame.
After a goal by senior center John Koning (Poway, CA) made it 7-6, the game continued in back-and-forth fashion, with each team keeping it close with quality offensive displays. With 2:10 left in the third period, sophomore driver Kevin Chapa (Carlsbad, CA) gave the lead to the home team for the fourth time of the match.
Redlands finally made it a two-goal lead at 12-10 after junior center-defender Mark Zikov (La Quinta, CA) converted back-to-back scores.
Although GWU managed one more netter, the Bulldogs held on for the important win over the non-conference foe that is coached by former Redlands player and assistant coach, Adam Foley '04.
Hartwig finished with a team-high three goals, while Koning, Zikov, and sophomore center Matt Shippen (Santa Maria, CA0 each added two scores.
Junior goalkeeper Chris Sekula (LaGrange, IL) patrolled the Bulldog cage for the win. No statistics were available at time of posting.
Watch a short highlight video of four of the Maroon and Gray's final goals of the night.
Redlands (5-8) heads to the Gary Troyer Memorial Tournament at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. The Bulldogs open the event at CMS' Axelrood Pool against NCAA Division III rival Johns Hopkins University (MD) at 12:40 p.m.
